Nigel Lythgoe, exec producer, “So You Think You Can Dance”

Ellen Burstyn, Supporting Actress in a Mini/Movie, “Flowers in the Attic”

Idris Elba, Actor in a Mini/Movie, “Luther”

Robert Herjavec, “Shark Tank”

“I was trying really hard not think about it,” said Taylor Schilling of her first Emmy nomination. “I mean, this feels amazing. I love this cast so much and I love the work we do so much. I think people are responding to it so well. I’m so glad at being recognized in this way. It has a voice.”

“This is a show about telling a broad range of stories. Everybody’s story is worth getting told and I think that’s incredible that that’s being reflected in the Academy. It’s not about one person and it’s not about one story,” she said.

Another plus for the show? Its comfy costumes. “We do sit back and relax all the time because we can. We can definitely cause trouble in our costumes. It’s not constricting at all. There’s no stopping anything from falling out — it allows for a lot of movement.”

“It’s surreal,” said first-time nominee Matt Bomer. “What I’m most excited about is that so many were recognized. I saw first-hand how hard so many worked — Danny Moder, the cinematographer, wardrobe, editing. This play and this film has meant so much to so many people. Everybody really believed in the story. For me, it was a dream come true. I would have been happy doing it in a regional theater. It'll take a week to kick in. Maybe it never will.”

“I feel like the happiest girl in the world,” said OITNB’s Laverne Cox. “I feel amazing, effervescent happy cloud nine through the moon; every cliche, hyperbolic saying for feeling really great.” Cox said she called her twin brother, who played her character in flashbacks in season 1. “He's really happy. He wasn't shocked, he's been on the journey with me. I've known him longer than anyone else because we shared a room … for many years when I was struggling as an actor and playing sex worker after sex worker after sex worker … he said you can act.”

Cox has become an accidental spokesperson for the trans community. “The irony is I don't represent the entire trans community and there's so many other stories that are out there. I'm just on a widely popular show right now … it's not about me, it's multiplying the voices that are out there that are trans. There's just so many amazing trans people out there whom I share this with today.”

There was a lot of celebrating at the “House of Cards” set today, Kevin Spacey reported. “We all found out because we were all in makeup and hair. We all celebrated very loudly. We'll probably celebrate at lunch today because we'll have the whole crew on set today. We'll pop the bubbly and maybe we'll bake a cake.”

Will he serenade them? “I’d be delighted to serenade them. I’ll sing the ‘Happy Emmys’ song.”

On spoilers: “I don't talk about the show to anyone about the show now and I never will. There are lots of people in other countries who haven't seen the show … we have to be a non-spoiler generation.”

On whether these awards are an old hat now: “Absolutely not. That would be like Roger Federer is bored winning a Wimbledon title. The difference, if you can compare that kind of honor, is that's an individual sport and it's two people playing the same game. One of them is going to come out the winner on that particular day … [With this] it’s a different group of actors making different work. For some reason, somebody ends up getting more votes than someone else. But it's not an individual achievement. It's very much a team sport. one of these days the Emmys should have a category for ensemble.”

Though he has been nominated seven times, this nom marks the first time "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" actor Andre Braugher is being honored for a comedic role. Working with such a great ensemble, he said, made the transition from drama that much easier. "It's always gratifying to be recognized and in this case stepping out into this whole comedic realm where I never had been before makes it all the more gratifying," Braugher said. “I never expected to be here but these guys are all very good comedians, they really know the comedic world. So I stepped in and they welcomed me with open arms and pumped me up and gave me those comedic wings to fly."

Sarah Paulson has the unenviable task of going up against co-star Jessica Lange in the same category. "We actually went up against each other when I was nominated for ‘Game Change’ and she got her first nom for 'Horror Story' and I lost then, so I'm used to losing to Jessica Lange,” she said. “There is no better person to lose to.”

Matt LeBlanc claimed he forgot about Emmy nominations as he woke up to a phone call this morning. “Not to make it sound like old hat, but I went to bed last night and completely forgot about it. So when the phone rang so early this morning, I was like, who’s dead? It's a little emotional roller coaster. I don’t think I’ve ever drunk coffee that fast!”

“Episodes” has been renewed for a fourth season. “I’m very proud of our show,” LeBlanc said. “And I’m very proud of our writers. Without our writers, we don't have a show. In season three, things got worse for my character. And in season four, things get even worse. They don't go for the long hanging fruit. This sets the bar again. Let’s fight for the best possible scenario — what’s possible. I'm just happy to carry the flag.”

“It’s been an exciting morning,” said Kerry Washington, who admitted she was sleeping but awoke because “there was a lot of activity on my phone for that time of day so I had to check it.”

“I’m really thrilled about Kate Burton and Joe Morton. I feel humbled and grateful to Shonda and the whole Scandal family. I’m part of a family, a team that allows each of us to thrive as an artist. and of course I’m grateful to the TV Academy. We go back to work next week, and I have no clue what’s in store. I haven’t seen a script yet!”

Billy Bob Thornton has advice for other movie stars thinking about making the jump to television. "It was one of the best experiences I've had and the people that were involved were really terrific and It was well put together. I've been humbled by the whole thing," Thorton said. "I don't think there is such a thing as movie actors and TV actors anymore I just think there are just actors now. If I had a friend who asked about going into television I would say yes because you have so much freedom in TV now that you don't necessarily get in film."

Josh Charles celebrated his emotional season on “The Good Wife” with his second Emmy nomination. “I’m honored and flattered. It's a nice reminder of what a great year it was on the show,” he said. “I’ve been seeing how people reacted to the season, to where we went last year with the show with Will's arc — how much they love the show, how sad they were. But it does feel extra special for to get recognized by the Academy. I didn't get in the business for this. It's not what motivates me. It’s not why I do what I do. It's a business with rejection and self doubt. But it’s nice to get included with other people you respect.”

“That’s amazing news to start the day with here in Boston!” said Benedict Cumberbatch in a statement. “An early birthday present.” (Editor’s note: His birthday is July 19, send presents now.)

“I’m honored to be in such great company, not least Martin. Thrilled for all who make ‘Sherlock’ and especially those who have been nominated in so many categories.” (“Sherlock” was nominated in 12 categories.)

“Are you kidding me?” said “House of Cards” exec producer Beau Willimon, on whether he was more prepared for Emmy nominations this year. “Last year, we didn't even know early on whether we'd be eligible and to get all those noms last year and win a few was just the icing on the cake. This time around, you never make any assumptions and you always want to improve and do better. You never want to take anything for granted and to get even more nominations from last year is incredible. We found out when we were lighting the first set of the day and it definitely put a big smile on everybody’s faces.”

On Kate Mara’s nomination: “That's what getting thrown in front of a train will do for you. She did such phenomenal work the first season and it was tough to stick to our guns with season two. You’ll have to put ‘spoiler alert’ if you use that quote.”

Working on Netflix means dealing with spoiler alerts. “My strategy is generally absolute cone of silence certainly before the show comes out and I do preface everything with a boldface spoiler alert,” Willimon said. “Now that we have shows being delivered all in one day it changes the way we talk about it. I’ve heard stories of couples who make a ritual out of watching ‘House of Cards’ or ‘Orange is the New Black’ episodes and if one gets ahead of the other there's hell to pay.”

Kate Mulgrew said she was awakened from a deep sleep. “I've never been nominated for an Emmy! The greatest pleasure comes from the fact that this is such a remarkable show,” she said. “It all springs from the genius mind of Jenji Kohan. If it ain’t on the page, it isn’t going to happen. It’s like a love affair: Jenji, Red, and me — a three-way, an ideal creative three-way. I want it to go on and on.”

Two nominations in one morning make for a good workout. “I was on the way to the gym, I looked down and saw my phone had exploded, so I had a really good run on the treadmill!” said Allison Janney of “Mom” and “Masters of Sex.” “I'm really honored for both projects. I love how different they are, very different styles. It's really thrilling and exciting for me. They’re both pretty special nominations. I make a brief appearance in this season of ‘Masters of Sex’ — but Barton and Margaret be back in season three. I want to be involved in this show as long as it runs! And with ‘Mom,’ I talked to Chuck (Lorre) a while ago, and he was excited about getting back. I’m sure it will be edgy and fun and push the boundaries of half-hours. I intend to enjoy this to the hilt!”

“Fargo” tallied a whopping 18 nominations, a fact not lost on creator Noah Hawley. “It seems like an excessive amount of Emmys. They should really give some to someone else,” he said. “I was joking with people at FX about how exciting we were for the miniseries category. It’s exciting to take an underutilized category that just three or four years ago was downgraded and combined with another category. It's exciting to make a 10-hour movie with a beginning middle and end. You can go all in. You can't take everything back. Every episode you can do something momentous. You can kill off a character and really move the story forward in a way.”

On casting famous actors: “It was definitely our goal to cast this like a movie and not just the big roles but also the supporting roles to make it feel like we were not making a television show … to send a message to the town that we were making something on an elevated playing field.”

When asked if “Fargo” is his favorite Coen Brothers film, Hawley said, “I really love it. As I get older and mature, I do think I'm attracted to those movies like ‘No Country for Old Men’ or ‘A Serious Man’ that are a little less comic. But there's something about ‘Fargo,’ — the inherent decency of it, the fact that at the end of the day after all of this gore and violence there's a married couple with a baby on the way.”

“It was such a dramatic, painful and challenging season, so this was so rewarding,” said Christine Baranski. “I’m very happy for Josh (Charles) and Jules (Julianna Margulies). I do wish the writers had been recognized. It’s not quite a level playing field. We’re all doing a different genre, when you’re doing 12 or 22 episodes.”

Baranski offered a tidbit from “The Good Wife’s” next season. “I go back on Monday. We’ve got great material. Diane’s a woman alone suddenly — a little fed up dealing with the guys. It’s going to be interesting. I can't give anything anyway. It takes a twist even from the first episode. something you don't expect happens again.”

The Emmys will be held Monday, Aug. 25. “We should all show up wearing football jerseys, tight pants and helmets! Enough with the fashion and the diamonds. That would solve all the fashion problems,” Baranski suggested. “That would really be Monday Night Football! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Jesse Tyler Ferguson said this season was particularly special. “I’m proud of every season, but I’m really proud of this past season. I know Eric (Stonestreet) doesn’t care, but the wedding episode couldn’t happen with just me and I’m sad that he wasn’t recognized for his work this past season.”

As for the next season, Ferguson said he’s in the dark just like everyone else. “I don’t know any of the story lines they’ve got cooking up. The writers been back for about two months now so they’ve probably been storyboarding but have no idea what that is. I know we have six new writers so that’s exciting. I’ve always been in awe that we bank so many episode and there’s still so much originality. We have to repeat once in a while but we still get so many new ideas and I’m in awe of them.”

He is clear, though, about one plotline. “No divorce for Cam and Mitch, that would be bad!”

"Everybody had the same reaction, including the people making the show about how this would go because the movie is so good," said Colin Hanks. "When I read that first script, it was so good that I stopped thinking about the movie, it really stood on its own as a beautifully written piece of work."

Hanks was not really surprised by his co-stars’ nominations, but was almost blown away by his own nom. "The real shocker was that I got the nomination because Gus isn't a showy guy or has a real emotional scene on the show," Hanks said. "He's a very inward character. I didn't think people would take to Gus the way that they did."

“Orange Is the New Black” tallied 12 nominations (Netflix racked 31 in total). “Who says crime doesn't pay?” said creator Jenji Kohan in a statement. “On behalf of everyone at ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ we are honored by this recognition from the Academy. This show is a labor of love for everyone involved, from our writers, producers, cast and crew to our prison food experts, screwdriver handlers and cockroach wranglers. We're thrilled that Academy members have fallen in love with our felons as much as we have. And I'm especially thrilled for Taylor Schilling, Kate Mulgrew, Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne and Laverne Cox. Their nominations are a tribute to their talent and the humor, depth and humanity they've brought to these characters.”

(Pictured: Lorraine Touissant, Jenji Kohan and Taylor Schilling)

Will Jon Voight don his trademark white scarf on the Emmy red carpet, even with the August heat? “That's a staple. It's an interesting thing. I don't have any real lucky pieces, but that scarf has gotten me through. At least I have something that suggests that I've got something unique that people like it or people respect it. It takes away concern if I'm wearing the most modern thing.”

Voight was very complimentary talking about the cast of “Ray Donovan.” “It's funny because I'm really in a situation where I come to the set and work with friends. I really care for the people without exception and I admire their work each one of them. I must say that you rely on Liev a lot for our show of course because he's the man. He's wonderful. I've been a fan of his since I worked with him on “The Manchurian Candidate” and we've gotten close over the past year. Paula Malcomson is just a genius. I learn from everybody I work with.”

Billy Crystal’s “700 Sundays” collected three Emmy nominations including Outstanding Variety Special. “It’s been a great run with this show, and this is the perfect way to — I don’t want to say it ending — but it’s a great curtain call to what has been the joy of my career,” Crystal said. “The show was really well-directed and intimate, and maintained its emotional power.”

What is he doing the rest of the day? “Well, I don’t have to work out because my heart’s beating so fast! Today’s just going to be working on my new series at FX, so there’ll be some writing done with our team and getting ready to do that end of September.”

“Downton Abbey” collected 12 nominations, the same number it received last year, noted exec producer Gareth Neame. “I'm very thrilled that we're still received the same tally of nominations given the extraordinary competition. It shows how important the show is to the Academy. They embraced us in the first season. That in the fourth season that we're still there I couldn’t be more delighted and grateful. I’m delighted, too, that our nominations are spread across actors and below the line — Michelle Dockery is turning into such an important actor. Beloved performances like Maggie Smith are a perennial. And Joanne Froggatt who had such an impactful storyline in the fourth season. We have texted, and she's absolutely thrilled. We’re working now on season five. We’ve just cut the first five episodes, and it’s all the things audiences love about the show, with new twists, turns and surprises.”

Did Donnie Wahlberg ever think he’d get an Emmy nomination for a reality show? “What I think is more astounding is my mom is the star of an Emmy-nominated reality show. It's outrageous. Between the two of us, Mark and I thought we'd sort of covered every award in the entertainment business … it's hysterical that this is a crowning achievement for us. I think we can both retire now. I don't know how we can top this.”

How did mom react? ”
She said no way and then she started joking that I'm going to have to take her on a shopping spree at Home Goods and she said I'm going to be your and Mark's date to the Emmys. I said you’re the star of a reality TV show. You can bring your own date.”

(Pictured: Mark, Paul, Alma and Donnie Wahlberg)

“I'm very excited — I'm a little bit overexcited, to be honest!” said second-time nominee Joanne Froggatt. “I'm so thrilled that we're still up there. I had quite a controversial storyline, but one I believe in. I still receive quite a few letters, including one saying I deserved an award. I told her it was more meaningful to get her letter than anything else. It's so lovely on a personal level to get the recognition of this nomination — and to share it with the cast is just amazing. We've been exchanging lots of congratulatory texts. I’m sure I'll open a bottle of something special to celebrate!”

Co-creator Seth Green said that even with three Emmy wins under its belt, the nominations for “Robot Chicken” are no less special. "You work all year, you make something that you like and its exciting when we are recognized for it," Green said. "It's a very weird thing because we never anticipated this ever being a real job and never imagined it would go as far as it has."

“I am so glad you love Violet so much…” said Maggie Smith. “These nominations keep her from kicking the bucket.”

“Modern Family” has been an Emmy darling four years running. “It feels great, you know, I don’t think we would’ve dreamed five years ago that we would be having this conversation right now,” said exec producer Christopher Lloyd. “We’ve been very lucky in the Emmy run up to this point. So I can’t say I’m surprised, but I’m very grateful.” He did, however, note that the competition is stiff. “There’s always a little charge in the air, and it’s probably getting harder and harder for us to earn a nomination as the show gets older. Everyone’s really gratified so it’s like a party that only so many people get invited to…”

What’s next for Lloyd and “Modern Family”? Planning for season six and deadlines. But in his dreams? “Would like to be an NBA player…”

“Vice” celebrated three nominations, including Outstanding Informational Series or Special. “It still feels great, we’re very happy. It’s funny ’cause when we pitched the show people would roll their eyes and say, ‘Young people don’t care about news, they sure as hell don’t international news, this isn’t gonna fly.’ But HBO took the risk and pushed it and it’s been great.”

What is he doing today? “I’m going to go for a swim and go to our office in Venice and look at some content, then I’m flying out to Brazil for the World Cup finals so that’s exciting.”

Ricky Gervais doesn’t seem too optimistic about his Emmy chances. “I am over the moon. I cannot wait to fly to LA to see Louis CK win. Genuinely though, I am absolutely thrilled.”

“I am on set today filming series 5 so, Lady Mary has a big grin on her face for a change!” said Michelle Dockery in a statement.

"It's a very good day! I'm thrilled for the cast and crews of these two projects, for these people I worked with and love. For 'The Normal Heart,' they took a chance on me, and it could have gone terribly wrong. Larry (Kramer) worked over 30 years to get the movie made. Now this will raise awareness to see it more and more. Julia (Roberts) is a great friend. I love Mark Ruffalo, he was a leader of that cast. And to see four of those supporting actors get nominated was so unexpected."

<p>"With 'Horror Story,' every year, I call up these actors, and they respond. To see Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett get nominated is thrilling. Jessica Lange is the queen of the world, and I'm so happy for Sarah (Paulson) to be in the lead actress category. And I'm super excited for Frances Conroy, who was a fan favorite. She really committed to this incredibly bizarre role."
<p>"I feel so humbled and grateful by all this, to have your peers recognize your work — my directing and writing nominations are unexpected for me. I'm fortunate to work with a really talented group of actors and artisans who love the show, love the material. When your crew loves your scripts, you know it's good. I'll be taking my 'American Horror Story' ladies out tonight and we'll be getting drunk!"

“I’m very very very happy. Really most particularly because of this project. I’m very happy on a personal level but I feel like I’m doing this for about a thousand people,” said Minnie Driver of Lifetime’s “Return to Zero,” about a couple whose marriage falters when their baby is stillborn.

It was a passion project for Driver. “They sent me the script and I saw that it was low budget, there was no money anywhere but the script was so good. I met the director and saw his passion but I had no idea that he could direct because he hadn’t done anything before, but I leapt in really. I knew it would be an amazing opportunity as an actor.”

"I actually didn't see the nomination, I was stuck in traffic,” said OITNB’s Uzo Adbua. “I literally looked down and saw my publicist was calling, I picked up and was very surprised to find out I was nominated."

Aduba said that no one could have predicted the show’s success, but she still knew it was special from day one. “It was one of those scripts that came alive and thinking I would love to be a part of something like that. It still excites me when I think about it."

"I love my job and I love this show,” said Anna Chlumsky of “Veep.” “It’s the sweetest icing to be recognized for having so much fun. I’m proud as can be of the entire crew and ensemble. I’m all smiles today."

"Absolutely thrilled about the 12 Emmy noms for ‘Cosmos,'” said exec producer Seth Macfarlane. “Congratulations to Ann Druyan, Neil deGrasse Tyson (both pictured above with Macfarlane) and the entire team for all their magnificent work. For once, the Parents’ Television Council sent me a gift basket WITHOUT a cobra at the bottom."

Edie Falco has three Emmy wins including one for her role as “Nurse Jackie.” "What an exciting way to start the summer! Beyond my wildest dreams – the response we’ve had to our dysfunctional ER and it’s inhabitants. So thrilled to be recognized by this industry."

"I’m so honored to receive an Emmy nomination,” said Helena Bonham Carter in a statement. “Playing Elizabeth Taylor was one of the scariest things I’ve done. But it was also the most exhilarating. Sometimes acting is like inviting a new lodger in and she was definitely the most fun to have around. I miss her. And the diamonds."

Sarah Silverman’s HBO comedy special “We Are Miracles” picked up two nominations for Variety Special and Writing. “I’m so excited!” she said in a statement. “Osh Kosh B’gosh just offered to dress me!”

"I'm all the better for the news! I think the moment you get used to it, you're lost," said exec producer Julian Fellowes. "I'm really surprised. I thought we had a pretty good run. For the show to pick up 12 nominations in its fourth year is amazing! We draw our strength from the audience, and they're incredibly loyal. You make these things up in your head, and the viewers really care about these people. I love that!"
<p>Fellowes was, however, mum about the next season. "I've just seen episode 5, and I think it's a really good year. But I'm not telling you anything."

"I am thrilled and a bit shocked to be nominated,” said William H. Macy. “And when I look at the other nominations I’m humbled. But I’ve always felt that liver failure brought on by acute alcoholism could be really, really funny."

"I got the news while in Alabama visiting family,” said “Veep’s” Tony Hale. “This wouldn't be possible without ‘Veep’s’ extraordinary writers, ensemble and crew. Between the nomination and all the fried food, I'm in heaven!!"

“A third Emmy nomination is not a fluke, it means that Michelle and Robert King are truly skilled writers and producers,” said frequent guest actor Dylan Baker. “‘The Good Wife’ is such the finest thing on television, and I am honored to wriggle into Sweeney’s fine clothes every now and then. This is truly a proper recognition of a wonderful show, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

“I am delighted to be recognized by the Emmys for a role in a project that I am incredibly proud of,” said Chiwetel Ejiofor of Starz’ “Dancing on the Edge.” “Working with Stephen Poliakoff and this amazing ensemble cast and getting to play such an extraordinary character was a tremendous experience.”

‘Thank you, people of Emmyland,” said Martin Freeman of his two nominations. “To be nominated in such company is an honor, especially for two shows that I’m immensely proud of. I’m delighted.”

“I'd completely forgotten, so it was a lovely surprise! I’ve been nominated before, so you have to prepare yourself that you might not get nominated this time,” said “So You Think You Can Dance” host Cat Deeley. “It wouldn’t change my life, it’s the show that has changed my life. But a win would be the cherry on the cake! I'm thinking there might be a glass of champagne to celebrate — there is happiness in every bubble. I've already been on the phone with Jesse Tyler Ferguson. We’ve been joking about whether champagne is a protein. champagne is a protein. It's a very Hollywood conversation! It's going to taste so good.”

“It’s tremendous, really,” said exec producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe on “So You Think You Can Dance’s” fourth nomination for Reality-Competition program and seven overall nominations. “It’s at a time when I think reality television is being frowned on a little bit… But it just shows you that — I’ve always believed that we have the best production and choreographers — to have that opinion validated seven times is wonderful.”

Of the competition, Lythgoe was also very gracious. “I think ‘The Voice’ has done brilliantly, ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ so between the three of us, the talent shows, it’s wonderful.”

What’s coming up on SYTYCD? “Heartbreak, I think. We are so in awe of our top 20 that it’s never ever ever going to be easy to lose people this season, and whoever we lose we know we’re going to be upsetting people, that’s the nature of the show.”

“I always strive for excellence in my work,” said Ellen Burstyn in a statement. “A nomination assures me that at least I am on the right track.”

"I am, of course, beyond flattered about the nominations this morning — it is both gratifying and actually touching to feel that your work was considered worthy of mention by your peers. That said, I am especially moved to be a part of two projects that were both singled out in their respective categories — ‘The Big Bang Theory’ for Outstanding Comedy Series and ‘The Normal Heart’ for Outstanding TV Movie. It is hard to believe my good fortune in having been a part of two such projects in the same year. I am especially excited for the new viewers that I hope these nominations will attract for ‘The Normal Heart,’ which was truly a passion project for so many of us involved."

"Wow, I'm truly shocked and humbled by this recognition,” said “Luther’s” Idris Elba. “Thank you so much to the TV Academy for this honor."

“Shark Tank” has been nominated three years in a row for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. “Three times a charm,” said the show’s Robert Herjavec. “Here's to 2014 being ‘The Year of the Shark.'”